Overview
The Chicago Blackhawks visit the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa tonight where they take on the Senators. The Blackhawks have played the Senators well over the past few seasons winning 8 of the last 11 meetings overall and the last 6 in a row played in Ottawa.
Head to Head Trends
Blackhawks are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
Blackhawks are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Ottawa.
Ottawa Senators (+110)
The Ottawa Senators are 3rd in the Atlantic Division with 29 points 13 points back of the 1st place Montreal Canadians. The Senators got of to a bit of a slow start this season losing 5 of their first 8 games but they have played much better since only losing 4 times in regulation in their last 17 games.
The Senators have one of the better offenses in the league averaging 3.13 goals per game but for some strange reason they are averaging just 2.62 goals per game at home. I might say this a lot but in sports things like this will usually even out so I would expect a few more pucks to start finding their way into the net for the Sen’s on home ice.
Ottawa Senators Trends
Senators are 13-5 in their last 18 vs. Western Conference.
Senators are 22-10 in their last 32 games playing on 1 days rest.
The Chicago Blackhawks are 4th in the Central Division with 29 points 10 points back of the 1st place Dallas Stars. The Blackhawks have played great hockey at home this season but on the road is a different story.
At home the Blackhawks are 8-4 but away from home they are just 5-8. Their offense drops off away from home going from about 2.90 goals per game to just 2.54 goals per game but it’s their defense that is the biggest difference. At home the Blackhawks are allowing under 2 goals per game but on the road they are allowing over 3 goals per game so not very good at all and that’s why they are just 5-8 on the road this season.
Chicago Blackhawks Trends
Blackhawks are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Atlantic.
Blackhawks are 9-3 in their last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
Conclusion
I’m going with the Ottawa Senators over the Blackhawks in this one. Both teams have similar records overall but the Blackhawks have just been horrible on the road this season so I like the Senators at home as a small underdog.
Free Picks: Ottawa Senators +110